Nut-lock



O. R. WHITMAN.

Nut Look.

No: 228,964. Patented June 15,1880.

Wmemme:

tain new and useful UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES R. WHITMAN, OF YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN.

NUT-LOCK..

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 228,964, dated June 15, 1880. Application filed December 8, 1879.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES R. WHIT- MAN, of Ypsilanti, in the county ofWashtenaw and State of Michigan, have invented cer- Improvements in Look- Nuts; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure l is a perspective proved nut-lock. Fig. 2 is a vertical section. Fig. 3 is a detached view of the cap which rests upon the nut, and Fig. 4 is the ratcheted locking-ring or socket.

In the drawings, A represents a bolt, of the view of my imordinary construction, except that it has a hole near the upper end on a line at right angles to its axis. A is a nut fitting the screwthreaded end of the bolt, and may be either square or many-sided, as shall be preferred.

The cap B consists of a base, provided with a depending skirt or flange, 1), upon two or more sides, the shape and size of the cap in plan correspondingsubstantially to the shape and size of the nut, so that the flange or flanges b will fit accurately the sides of the nut, the object being that the rotation of the nut upon the bolt shall carry with it the cap, and vice versa, under all circumstances.

I) is a flange projecting upwardly from the face of the cap, the hole through the cap and the flange being of such diameter as to fit closely over the bolt.

1) is a lug or hook projecting from the face of the-cap to receive one end of the spiral spring 0, said spring being made of steel wire or a highly-tempered brass wire.

D d is a locking-ring or socket mounted loosely upon the outer end of the bolt. The part D of this locking-ring is recessed upon its upper face and formed into a ratchetecl seat, as shown plainly in Fig. 4.

The flange (1 projects from the lower face of the part D, for a purpose which will be explained.

The horizontal projecting flange d is perforated to receive one end of the spiral spring 0, the flange being of greater diameter th the spring O, so as to afford a bearing-surfa for said spring.

In practice I prefer to cast the'locking-rii or socket with the hole d in it, to save t expense of drilling, and under ordinary c culnstances I propose to make it of malleah iron.

E is a pin, of steel or highly-tempered wir fitting within the hole in the upper end the bolt, and engaging with the ratchet-tee in the recess of the locking-ring or socket, ti pin being of such length as to fit closely wit in the walls of the recess.

The operation of the device is substantial] as follows: After the nut A has been screws upon the bolt as far as is practicable or d sirable, the cap B, having thesprin'g 0 an locking-ring or socket attached thereto, i placed upon the bolt, with the flange I) inclo: ing the nut, and the pin E is inserted in th hole at the upper end of the bolt, first COII pressing the spring by pressing the socket tt ward the cap, so as to permit the pin to be in serted in position, when upon releasing th socket the tension of the spring will hold it ratcheted face in close contact with said pit The socket or ring is then turned around wit] a wrench in the same direction as the nut ha been, increasing the torsion of the spring ant its consequent pressure upon the cap in hht direction in which the nut has been turned t1 any desired extent.

From an examination of the drawings it wil be readily understood that the action of th( spring istwofold: first, by reason of its tor sion it exerts a continuous pressure upon the cap B and the nut in the direction in which the nut is turned when screwing it upon the bolt; and, secondly, by reason of its pressure in the direction of the axis of the bolt it holds the ratcheted face of the locking-rin g or socket in firm contact with the pin E, andthus prevents the said ring or socket and the upper or outer end of the spring from turning backward relative to the bolt.

Thus it will be understood that the nut cannot be loosened upon the bolt by jarring or otherwise accidentally 5 but, on the contrary, the torsion of the spring 0 will keep the nut in close contact with whatever part may be .cent to it, so that no looseness of parts occur by reason of wear or shrinkage, be- ;e the nut will constantly follow up the 1 upon which it bears. he device can be readily detached from bolt by pressing the locking-ring or socket ard the nut, so as to permit the withdrawal he pin E, as will be readily understood. nder some circumstancesI may substitute the hook d a straight spur projecting at it angles from the cap, to serve simply as tud, against which one bent end of the ing may rest, or, as this cap is made of lleable iron, the straight spur may be bent 51', so as to clasp the end of the spring. n'efer this latter construction because it aids the liability of the cap and spring beseparated from each other,in which latter e there will be increased liability of one of parts being lost or misplaced in transporion and handling. W hen preferred the cap B may be conucted with downwardly-projecting spurs apted to engage with the sides of the nuts atead of the flange b but I prefer the con- -uc tion shown because, among other reasons, is better adapted to receive a wrench when is desired to tighten the nut without re- )ving the lockin g devices. The objects of the projecting flanges are, st, to properly support the cap and lockingig or socket upon the bolt, and, secondly, prevent the spring from coming in contact Hill the bolt.

It will be seen that the cap B may be raised ward the upper end of the bolt, turned backard, and then replaced upon the nut, wherey the tension of the spring may be increased ithout moving the upper end of the spring :lative to the bolt.

What I claim is- 1. In a nut-lock, the combination, with the bolt and the nut, of a ratcheted plate arranged to engage with the bolt, and a spiral spring, which surrounds the bolt and is connected at one end with the nut and at the other end with said ratcheted plate, whereby the tension of the spring may be increased after the nut has been screwed in place, and the tension of the spring may be reduced by forcing said plate toward the nut and turning it backward, substantially as set forth.

2. In a nut-lock, the combination, with the bolt and nut, of a spiral spring connected at one end with the bolt by means substantially as set forth, and the interposed cap B,connected with the spring and adapted to engage with and be rotated with the nut, substantially as set forth.

3. In a nutlock, asa means for attaching a spiral spring to the bolt, the plate provided with ratchet-teeth and adapted to receive one end of the spring, and a pin, E, passing through the bolt and adapted to engage with the teeth of the ratcheted plate, substantially as set forth.

4. In a nut-lock, the combination, with the bolt and nut, of a spiral spring connected with the bolt by means substantially as set forth, and a cap, B, connecting the spring and the nut, and provided with a flange, b interposed between the spring and bolt, substantiallyas set forth.

In testimony have hereunto set my December, 1879.

CHARLES R. IVHIIMAN.

Witnesses:

CHANCY J OSLIN,

that I claim the foregoing 1 DARWIN G. GRIFFEN.

hand this 1st day of 75 

